2017 Ford Escape engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

1,905 owners have reported engine problems with the 2017 Ford Escape, 77% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 80,000 mi.

Engine complaints
1,905
Crashes
4
Fires
8
Injuries
2
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
80,000 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine1,494
Engine and engine cooling489
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system5
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger4
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:catalytic convertor3
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly2
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:seals/gaskets2
Engine and engine cooling:engine1
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control1
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication: oil cooler1

Engine complaints across Ford Escape years

5200573200713122009111220118650201353822120152031,90520171,40738320191314720213732202314920252
Engine complaints by model year. The 2017 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

3Under 10k2810k–30k15430k–60k38760k–100k222100k–150k20150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Oct 6, 2026WIEngine
    Our Escape has had the head gasket replaced twice (6/2023 & 8/2024) and now needs the engine completely replaced. We have paid almost $8,000 out of pocket for the 2 fixes and now have been given an estimate of $10k for a new engine. In all three cases we have had the engine light turn on, the warning "High Engine Temperature. Stop Safely" appear and a dramatic decrease in coolant (which we have to fill daily). We are now stuck with a car that isn’t safe/fit to drive and in…
    NHTSA complaint #11769316 · source
  2. Filed Oct 5, 2026DEEngine
    Dealership service department just called to inform me that my car is showing signs of the coolant intrusion issue that is known by ford for my 2017 ford escape titanium and that i should probably not waste the money to get the maintainance service done that I had taken it in for because the engine will most likely need replacing soon , and after further review online , vehicles with this condition have caught even caught on fire . And ford even acknowledging the issue is…
    NHTSA complaint #11769069 · source
  3. Filed Oct 3, 2026TXEngine
    I am reporting a severe safety hazard regarding a known factory engineering defect in the 2017 Ford Escape 2.0L EcoBoost engine. A documented design flaw in the open-deck engine block allows engine coolant to slowly intrude into cylinders 3 and 4 [1.10]. This internal leak causes a rapid, un-warned loss of coolant volume without leaving any visible puddles on the ground [1.10]. The vehicle suffered a sudden loss of occupant cabin heat, immediately followed by the Cylinder…
    NHTSA complaint #11768666 · source
  4. Filed Oct 1, 2026PAEngine
    On [XXX], I was driving the 2017 Ford Escape and while attempting to merge onto [XXX] at Greencastle, PA, the vehicle started to lose power and I couldn't accelerate to the speed of other traffic. I was almost hit on the left side by a tractor/trailer and the car behind me almost rear ended my car. While being at an almost stand-stii in the right lane of [XXX], traffic had to swerve to the left lane to avoid me. With much difficulty, I was able to get the car to the side of…
    NHTSA complaint #11768265 · source
  5. Filed Sep 27, 2026INEngine
    I have a 17 escape with a 1.5l engine. Few years ago I had engine block replaced. The engine block that was installed in my engine has the coolant intrusion issue. This is the second motor put inside my vehicle due to this issue. (Last motor was due to neglect from previous owner aka my ex wife)
    NHTSA complaint #11767242 · source
  6. Filed Sep 26, 2026ALEngine
    With just over 115,000 miles, and overall our 2017 Ford Escape being in excellent shape and well taken care of, the check engine light came on and all of a sudden on the interstate the car stopped running. We ahead to pull to the side and have it towed as whatever we did would not get the car to start. The issue turns to be with coolant leaking into the cylinders and per the mechanic the only solution is to have the engine replaced. This appears to be a known issue with this…
    NHTSA complaint #11767154 · source
  7. Filed Sep 26, 2026NCEngine
    The engine light on my 2017 Ford Escape EcoBoost 2.0L has come on a couple times in the last few months. My trusted mechanic has diagnosed the following codes: P0301 and P0316 - which indicates cylinder misfire and misfire detected on start up. There is an active TSB 22-2226 (Coolant intrusion into Spark Plug/Cylinder Bore) that matches up with those codes. This is my daughter’s primary vehicle and we are not comfortable with her continuing to drive it for fear of total…
    NHTSA complaint #11767130 · source
  8. Filed Sep 23, 2026ILEngine
    The coolant has been leaking into the cylinders the symptoms were violent shaking, low coolant, white smoke, misfires, and engine light and warning on. My safety and others safety were put at risk because if the motor is not replaced it can become a fire hazard and it could break down on the road endangering mine and others lives. The problem was diagnosed by a ford dealership and cost me $201 to just diagnose where they quoted me $14,000 to replace. It was inspected by the…
    NHTSA complaint #11766494 · source
  9. Filed Sep 22, 202670,293 miMDEngine
    The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, a high alert warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and waited for fifteen minutes before restarting the vehicle. However, the failure persisted. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and was diagnosed with cylinder #2 failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to…
    NHTSA complaint #11766207 · source
  10. Filed Sep 21, 2026LAEngine
    My 2017 Ford Escape starting having issues about a year ago and was losing coolant and then car would read hot. It’s an Ecoboost motor and coolant is leaking into the motor and damaging it. The motor needs replacing and ford knew about this issue but refuses to repair it. I have repaired car 5 times or so trying to fix this but keeps getting worse and now destroyed the engine. It is a known flaw by ford repair and many people but I was not told anything when I bought the car.
    NHTSA complaint #11765935 · source
  11. Filed Sep 21, 2026NYEngine
    Vehicle Information: Year/Make/Model: 2017 Ford Escape Titanium Engine: 2.0L EcoBoost 4-Cylinder Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Current Mileage: Approximately 118,000 miles Description of the Safety Problem: The vehicle experienced a sudden and severe loss of engine coolant with no external leaks visible on the ground. Diagnostic inspection revealed that engine coolant is intruding internally into the engine cylinders due to a known structural defect in the Ford 2.0L…
    NHTSA complaint #11765862 · source
  12. Filed Sep 21, 2026NYEngine
    It is common knowledge that my particular vehicle has a known engine defect - coolant intrusion - that in effect renders the engine inoperable eventually in models from 2013-19. Mine is a 2017. It was sold to me without anyone referencing the known engine issue. Over the last couple of years, my family was nearly stranded when the car suddenly began to experience shuddering, very rough driving, coolant disappearing and having to be replenished, and the engine coils misfiring…
    NHTSA complaint #11765853 · source

Other 2017 Ford Escape problem areas

Back to all 2017 Ford Escape problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology